‘Troubled’ teen to serve 12 years for tot assault

A teenager has been handed a 12-year sentence after trying to commit a serious sexual assault on a toddler at a flat in Blackpool.

The attack was so serious the tot had to be given HIV medication for three weeks and suffered an injury as a result of what had happened to him.

Now the 17-year-old, who can not be named for legal reasons, has been handed an extended sentence after Judge Jonathan Gibson said he posed “a clear and definite danger to children.”

The youth admitted a charge of attempted sexual assault

Preston Crown Court heard the teenager had a troubled past and a history of abusing children and animals.

He previously received therapy for his sexual offending after abusing another toddler when he was just 12-years-old.

The court heard the boy was reported to the police by his mother who had walked into the living room and witnessed the distressing scene.

Judge Gibson said: “You are a damaged and troubled young man.

“You lack empathy.

“You present a very high risk of harm to others and your history of behaving in a sexual way towards children is very high.

“It is not known whether harm at the deep rooted level may have been done but when an offence like this takes place the harm doesn’t stop with the direct victim.

“Your own mother in her witness statement said at the time she made the statement she felt physically sick and wishes she could unsee what she had seen.

“She can’t look after you anymore.”

The baby’s mum sobbed from the public gallery as the account of the attack upon her son were read to the court.

In a victim impact statement, she said: “I used to be a really bubbly person and it has totally changed me.

“I feel sick every day and think about what happened every single day.

“I have split up with my partner as a result of this.

“I am paranoid when I take my little boy out and people make comments about how cute he is.”

The teenager will only be released from custody in a Young Offenders Institute if the parole board is satisfied he no longer presents a risk after serving a minimum of four years and eight months in custody.

He will then be subject to eight years on licence and a sexual harm prevention order which lasts indefinitely.